JusticeForFlint
Charity event / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
#JusticeForFlint was a charity event held on February 28, 2016, addressing the ongoing Flint water crisis in the U.S. state of Michigan. With the victims of the lead poisoning being predominantly black, the political scandal has been regarded as an example of racial inequalities in the U.S., and the charity event has been associated with the Black Lives Matter campaign.
Initiated by Creed director Ryan Coogler and Selma director Ava DuVernay, the free public event was held at the Whiting Auditorium in Flint, Michigan. Hosted by comedian Hannibal Buress, it featured singers Janelle Monáe and Ledisi, as well as actor-activists Jesse Williams and Jussie Smollett, amongst others.[1] Surprising star guest was "King of Motown" Stevie Wonder, who teamed up with Monáe for "Hell You Talkin' Bout", a protest song she had written for the people of Flint.[2]
Coinciding with the 88th Academy Awards ceremony, the event drew considerable attention after the Academy faced unprecedented criticism in early 2016 for its lack of diversity in this year's nomination.[3] The event was further propagated on social media using the #JusticeForFlint hashtag,[1] and live-streamed by Sean Combs' Revolt.tv network.
So far, the fund has raised $156,000.[4]